Conduent
has been awarded a U.S. patent for
technology that automatically recognizes
facial expressions using images from low
resolution cameras. Since becoming an
independent public company on December 31,
2016, the company has been awarded more than
20 patents, with several related to computer
vision technology.

The technology locates faces within a video
stream and automatically identifies a
person’s eyes to better understand facial
expressions. Applying machine learning and
pattern recognition techniques to that
region of the image allows the facial
expression to be classified from ubiquitous
low-resolution surveillance grade video.

Benefits:

The technology delivers a range of benefits
from helping retailers track customer
shopping preferences while browsing
merchandise, gauging commuter satisfaction
on public transit, and improving accuracy of
screenings in border crossing control.

•In Retail: Knowing shopper satisfaction at
a more granular level allows the retailer to
optimize the physical shopping experience
including layout, merchandise and the
checkout process. This technology, which can
also read customer satisfaction during
customer-employee interactions, creates an
advantage for omni-channel retailers looking
to enhance information gathered from their
brick & mortar stores.

•In Transportation: Facial recognition can
be similarly used to gauge rider
satisfaction on public transit or customer
satisfaction in customer-agent interactions.
Through this technology, public transit
agencies gain better insights to provide
safer, cleaner and more courteous public
transportation, further motivating commuters
to use these services, including end-to-end
multi-modal travel.

•In Border Crossing Control: The technology
can cross-reference expressions of any
persons identified by law enforcement with
FBI and Homeland Security databases that
scan across millions of photos in state and
federal databases, as well as facial images
collected from non-citizens as they enter
the United States. This advancement could
result in more screening for high risk
individuals and potentially less for lower
risk individuals, making border security
more accurate, effective and efficient.

The patent, along with the others awarded
this year, adds to Conduent’s portfolio of
more than 300 U.S. Patents and approximately
400 pending U.S. Patent Applications.
“Our first several patents as an independent
company are a milestone to celebrate,” said
Carol Kline, Conduent Chief Information
Officer. “Our patent for facial expression
recognition represents one of many
transformative projects we have underway
this year to bring new solutions to our
clients that advance the lives of citizens,
patients and employees via work developed at
Conduent.”

MarketandMarkets estimates that the facial
recognition market size is estimated to grow
from $3.35 billion in 2016 to $6.84 billion
by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of
15.3 percent from 2016 to 2021.

Conduent’s expertise in computer vision
techniques has also led to the
commercialization of its award-winning
Vehicle Passenger Detection System (VPDS).
The system uses advanced video analytics to
detect the number of occupants in moving
vehicles with 95% accuracy at speeds up to
100mph. Enforcing the rules of these
high-occupancy lanes improves the customer
experience for those who abide by the rules
and helps governments validate the integrity
of HOV lanes and High Occupancy Toll (HOT)
lanes.